Christ’s Church 02/17/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

Christ’s Church Introduction Many of us have been going to church almost all our lives. You’d think we’d know a lot about the church because of that. The notion that because I’m here, I know doesn’t exactly work.

Christ’s Church There are a lot of reasons for not understanding when you come to church. The truth is, I could simply never have learned or come to understand why the church exists and why it’s so important in God’s plan.

Christ’s Church A lot of people today believe they can be saved and have nothing to do with church. A lot of this has to do with denominationalism.

Christ’s Church A “denomination” is a religious organization whose congregations are united because they have the same beliefs and practices (Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary). But even that definition has evolved.

Christ’s Church Today a true denomination does not claim to be the only legitimate expression of the church. Do you see how different it is today?

Christ’s Church 67 percent of the respondents of a 1997 survey among Evangelicals agreed with the statement, “Although there are many churches in the world, you can be saved in most any of them.”

Christ’s Church From the same survey 56 percent affirmed that, “God is satisfied if one lives the best life one can.”

Christ’s Church But this is not how the Bible presents the church. The Bible presents the church as the saved. It’s said to be one. “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matt 16:18, NIV)

Christ’s Church Today, to assert that there’s one church, is highly offensive and the epitome of intolerance and bigotry. Meanwhile questions like “Who’s my brother?” and “Are people that go to denominational churches saved,” linger in our minds and often go unanswered.

Christ’s Church Paul in Romans 9 tells us that the Jews had all the advantages but were still wrong. Paul says they’re lost unless they come to Christ according to the truth.

Christ’s Church Do you believe there is A Truth? Or is Truth so elusive you believe we can’t know it?

Christ’s Church But if that’s true, God has lied to us! 32 “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NIV) 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13, NIV)

Christ’s Church In order for Truth to be Truth, it has to have definite markers. But when you can identify it, it forces you to make distinctions. We don’t want to come off judgmental. We feel that there’s a certain amount of hypocrisy attached to our certainty.

Christ’s Church My question though is, where does that leave us? In order to know, you have to evaluate based on an objective standard. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. (1 Peter 1:22, NIV)

Christ’s Church When Evaluating a Church Start with its Doctrine of Salvation. How do they teach a person is saved from his sins? The Bible’s teaching on salvation is clear. We are sinners—lost—in need of a Savior (Rom 3:23).

Christ’s Church Jesus, God’s Son, came to the earth and gave his life for us (Matt 20:28). He was crucified, buried and resurrected on the third day (1 Cor 15:1-4). When the gospel is presented to us, we recognize it’s our sins that separated us from God (Acts 2:37).

Christ’s Church And we can’t help ourselves (Rom 3:10). We repent of the way we’ve thought, of the way we’ve lived, and place our faith in Christ (Acts 2) Then we are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

Christ’s Church 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, NIV)

Christ’s Church Examples: Saul of Tarsus 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22:16, NIV) The jailer and his family (Acts 16:33)

Christ’s Church Now look for the inward markers. Does this church believe Jesus Christ is the object of their faith? Is the church Christ-like?

Christ’s Church When Evaluating a Church Study its Organizational Structure. The apostles left organizational instructions. A plurality of elders Deacons An evangelist

Christ’s Church Does the church serve God? Does the church worship God? Is the church edified?

Christ’s Church The inward nature of the church’s organizational structure. Beware of legalism. It’s legalistic to believe you’re saved just because you’re doing the right things.

Christ’s Church Conclusion 15 the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Tim 3:15, NIV) There is A Truth and that Truth has been revealed to us. It also means the church is identifiable.

Christ’s Church It’s identifiable by its: plan of salvation organizational structure spirit

Christ’s Church 02/17/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles